PM Mitsotakis visits contruction site of Athens metro Line 4

The premier was briefed on the progress of works and attended the symbolic naming ceremony of one of the two tunnel-boring machines, which was named 'Athena'.

"This is a very important day for the city of Athens' transport infrastructure," said Mitsotakis. "Line 4 is the largest public work that will be implemented in Greece in the next few years. Line 4 will be ready by the end of the decade. As the [transport] minister said, it will serve nearly 350,000 fellow-Athenians and provide massive relief to the capital's traffic problem," he added.

Construction of the line is expected to be completed by 2029. The line will feature 15 stations on a 12.8 km dual track. It will span some of the capital's most densely populated areas, reducing the trip from Alsos Veikou in Galatsi to the Evelpidon courts compound to 5 minutes, and to the Athens University campus at Zografou to 14 minutes.

It is estimated that when Line 4 begins operation, it will decrease road traffic by approximately 53,000 vehicles, thus reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 17,000 tons per year.

The construction project is budgeted at 1.5 billion euros, and it is expected to generate 5,000 new jobs.